Interview: Izza Kizza - Hip-Hop Artist - Page 3

Part of: The NUBIANO Exchange

When you look at the musical landscape, are there any specific things you want to change or redefine?

I just want to bring something new. I don't think it really needs to be redefined. I feel these artists that are coming out like T.I. – people need to hear that aspect of music but people don't need to hear that aspect of music from two T.I.'s or three T.I.'s. One true T.I. and that's it. Everybody, let's try to find something else to bring to the game. I try to just bring my own thing to the game and I just use the art form to inspire me, not particularly to use the same style. I'm not really trying to redefine the style. I'm trying to enhance the style, if anything.

Well, your music and influence have slowly crept its way into the public consciousness. And "Millionaire" was recently included in the soundtrack for the Madden NFL 09 video game. Besides this accomplishment, what other memories shine bright?

The mistakes are memorable and I'm making sure that I don't make the same mistakes next time. You know how they say you never know how to do until you make a mistake? I always use those mistakes, even when I'm talking to people who want to get in the game. To me, learning those mistakes is the most valuable thing and learning how not to fail is definitely important.

Is there one particular mistake that you learned a lot from?

Punctuality, just learning how to be more prompt. You miss a lot of good opportunities by not being punctual. You have to know yourself. I got to a point where I let so many people define my style. If you're not careful, you'll forget your own style. You'll forget who you are. I learned you got to keep your integrity. You got to keep what makes you different. You got to stay focused on you.

Your first two mixtapes, Kizzaland and The Wizard of Iz, were mixed by Nick Catchdubs. How did the two of you link up? And what keeps your musical relationship going?

This dude is awesome, man. I work off of relationships, you know. I like doing stuff with people that I know, that I can relate. Meeting Nick was really, really cool. Anything we do, we do it like a team. Anybody we deal with, we try to make sure that those people understand that we're trying to build a team of individuals to make the project excel. We don't want to just deal with anybody. We only deal with people who we think are going to take the relationship seriously and are in it for the longevity. He's such a hard worker, man. Why wouldn't anybody want to spend time with people who definitely appreciate what they do? I can feel that when I listen to the record and that's why I deal with him.

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Article Author: Clayton Perry

Clayton Perry's mission parallels that of John Hope Franklin, Marcus Garvey and Carter G. Woodson. As the founder of the NUBIANO Project, Perry facilitates the design of projects that give voice to the Black diaspora, empower the Black community, …

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  • 1 - Kaine

    Jun 10, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    KAYO MARBILUS MYSPACE BLOGS myspace.com/kayomarbilus Hip hop music is a musical genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats. Hip hop music is part of hip hop culture, which began in the Bronx, in New York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latin Americans.[1][2] The term rap music is often used synonymously with hip hop music.
    Rapping, also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat. Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer,[3] though synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer music. Rappers may perform poetry which they have written ahead of time, or improvise rhymes on the spot with or without a beat. Though rap is usually an integral component of hip hop music, DJs sometimes perform and record alone, and many instrumental acts are also defined as hip hop.

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